REMEMBER WHEN?

Posted on June 22, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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I think every generation considers the “good old days” as their times growing up and as young adults.  George Washington undoubtedly preferred remembering the days when he was cutting down cherry trees more than his time leading a fledgling country out of a revolution and building what is now America.  On the other hand, he would probably be rolling over in his grave (if that’s possible) if he knew what has happened to the country since it’s beginnings.

The older we get, the more we seem to dwell on the past.  We reminisce about how much better things were when we were kids.  We believe that particular juncture in time was perfect, but not so.  For example when I was growing up in the 40s and 50s, we had no clue about global warming or the internet.  Our lives were simpler then.  Kids played in the street – we didn’t lock our doors – we ate dirt – we recycled before it was popular,

BUT it also was a time right after a world war and during the Korean War .  The atomic bomb was a real threat.  Air raid drills were held in our schools.  Many were building bomb shelters in their backyards.  The economy was still in a state of recovery.  We wore second hand clothes and shoes.  Our food was home made and consisted of starchy things like pasta to fill us up. We never knew about the ill effects of gluten. We never thought of paying $50 bucks for a pair of old, torn blue jeans and we were lucky if we got a pair of new shoes when school started –  but. I digress.

The truth is, every decade has its good and bad memories.  One of the blessings God has given me is the ability to forget the bad things that have happened in my life.  I’ve been able to tuck the icky stuff into the back of my brain.  Maybe that’s why I have such weird dreams, but I digress again.

What I’m trying to say is this – Looking back is a good thing, but looking forward is even better.  We, as Christians, have been promised a perfect life in eternity after our death.  How great is that?  We will some day be in the paradise that God originally planned for us.  We will have all our teeth – healthy bodies – no sorrows or tears – our joy will be overflowing.  So without hesitation we can say “Throw every day forward!”

 

Hebrews 10:17 “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

 

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ALONE

Posted on June 22, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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ORIGINAL ART & INSPIRATION BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Gentle waves lap up against the base of this bastion,

It seems to be going nowhere – stalled,

Sun blazes down,

Creating reflections of a past life,

A life filled with good times.

Rain beats against it,

Destroying any semblance of glory,

Cold and snow integrate into its space,

It stands alone,

Steadfastly it has stood the test of time,

Diligently it holds sway again adversity,

It is no longer filled with laughter and joy,

It sleeps alone,

Within the confines of a relentless river,

This old haven of delight,

Now fades into oblivion,

It lives alone,

Never to feel the caress of that raging water,

Never to feel the gentle tug of the current,

Never to dance with the sky and waltz with the wind,

It waits alone,

Never to rush through the torrential waves,

To feel life surging through each ripple,

To be suffocated with laughter,

It dies alone.

 

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WRITERS’ FUNNIES

Posted on June 22, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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TRANSITIONS

Posted on June 21, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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I’ve come to the conclusion that part of God’s wrath came down specifically on women in the form of hormonal imbalance.  There are some changes as men age, but women get the brunt of it.

In the teen years, our estrogen has begun to work overtime.  Bodies are developing.  We’re prone to mood swings, acne, weight gain or loss, hair in unwanted places, overactive sweat glands, not wanting to give up childhood and a plethora of new and unknown feelings.  We’re expected to become women overnight when we’d much rather play with Barbies or Legos.

Pregnancy is another time of change.  The body becomes swollen. You often lose recognition of your feet, because the bump in your middle has obliterated them.  When you do get a look at them, they also have grown to twice their original size.  You go through times of nausea, panic, worry and wonder why you ever agreed to this.  You struggle for nine months to learn new ways to pick things up off the floor, walk and embrace your spouse.  Your back aches, your feet hurt, your bloated and uncomfortable.  At least at the end of it, you have something wonderful to show for it.

When we go through menopause, we undergo many changes as well. We become irritated by things we have no control over. We don’t have periods anymore – which is really a blessing in my opinion.  We experience hot flashes and would find great solace sitting inside the freezer on a hot summer day.  Our hair thins, arms become flabby.  Skin loses its elasticity.  Intimacy now means “I’d rather be by myself.”

When we enter old age, there are more things to look forward to.  Teeth have now been replaced with dentures.  Hearing and other senses fail.  You are prone to memory lapses, especially when you move from one room to the other.  Your hands are now arthritic and you never know when one or two fingers are going to cramp up.  Your eyesight dims.  Your hair loss continues.  You have countless ailments and often wonder why God doesn’t simply call you home.

Being a woman is overrated.

Of course men have their share of issues as well, but they seem to muddle through, enough to tease us about our erratic internal thermostat.  They seem to find it funny.  There’s nothing funny about suddenly feeling like you have entered the gates of hell.  Thanks a lot, Adam and Eve.  How different it would’ve been if you had just obeyed one simple rule.

 

 

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WRITERS’ FUNNIES

Posted on June 21, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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SET SAIL

Posted on June 20, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Water calmed by the silence and absence of wind,

Glasslike in the brilliant sun,

Quiet, tranquil,

Away from the maddening crowds of interfering life,

For a brief moment, the world stands still,

And you are reminded,

That He alone brings perfect peace,

A peace that transcends all human understanding,

A solitude that will last throughout eternity,

Take the peace freely given with open arms,

Bathe in it, clothe yourself with it,

Delight in each breath of it,

And pass it on to someone,

Who longingly awaits the same.

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WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER

Posted on June 20, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

 

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I’m reminded of Charles Schultz and his character Lucy. Her definition of team work went something like this, “These five fingers, individually they’re nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a force that is terrible to behold.” Lucy usually got her way too. In anything we do, it is better done when we do it together.

God uses this illustration when He refers to the individual parts of a human body. Each part has a function and it gives assistance to the rest of the parts in their operation. When sight fails, another sense takes over to accommodate.  When we lose the use of a limb, another will gain strength. I’m not sure where I fit into the scheme of things here.  I hope I’m not something unnecessary like the appendix.

When we work together as a team we can accomplish great things. Each one of us has something special to contribute to the mix. This can be seen in all areas of our lives, whether it’s a work situation, a sport, any kind of competition, discovery through exploration or science, building things, and the list goes on. God wants us to work as a team. That’s why He created more than one of us.

Lord, When I lose focus and turn inward, allow me to turn my eyes back to you.  I can not accomplish this life alone.  You have promised to be my pilot, my partner and my protector.  There are times when I need the help of others as well.  Help me remember to ask for help when I need it and not to try to accomplish everything  by myself.  I know that were all pieces of the big puzzle.  We all play an important part, so allow me to experience the joy of working together with others to share your wonderful news.  In Jesus name, I pray.  Amen!

 

 

 

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PASSIVITY

Posted on June 20, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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“Technology teaches passivity. Absorbed in our devices – at any age – we are absorbed in someone else’s perspective.”   Julia Cameron

Hiding our heads in the sand when the world is out of control is not the answer. I’ve been trying to avoid any semblance of “news” for the past few weeks, but its unavoidable.

Last week a congressman was the target of an assassin’s wrath and continues to fight for his life, while a newsman claims that this might have been caused by the victim himself.  The claim was astounding to me and obviously many others, yet the news anchor was able to  spew this out to an audience just waiting for something else to pin on the Republican party.

In a time of such tragedy, we owe it to ourselves to rid the air waves of this kind of misrepresentation.  I’ve been trying to bury my head in the sand, but this back and forth bantering is everywhere.  It sickens me to think that our children are learning how to deal with problems in such a negative way.  They are being taught to enrage, attack and demean others.  It’s no wonder there’s an epidemic of bullying in our nation.

After several days of trying to avoid, I was bombarded with negative news on Monday.  A Syrian warplane was shot down by the United States – but little information about why. A local police officer acquitted of all charges in the shooting of a black man – demonstrations followed.  A black man acquitted of all charges in a case which occurred several years ago and not reported until recently.  Children are being murdered because they refuse to become sex slaves.  A continual smearing of our current administration goes on.  Crime in the streets is rampant.  Children are being left to fend for themselves in this crummy environment for the summer.

Whatever happened to the Walter Cronkites of old? The journalists who asked important questions – like who, what, where, when and why?  Who got every piece of information they could muster before even airing a story.  We have become a nation of enquiring minds that want to know right now!

We can’t sit by and do nothing about this.  I don’t have the answers, but it seems to me that we should unsubscribe to the news organizations – boycott their sponsors – refuse to put up with false news and news that incites.  However, we are so much a party to it.  We are feeding on this stuff.  Our people have devoured every negative piece of news they can get their hands on. They then spit it out in the form of rhetoric and hatred and we have become a nation divided.

Do we remain complacent and let others fight over this junk?  Do we stand up for the truth?  We owe it to ourselves to research every piece of news that comes to us.  If we don’t, we’re looking at a short future for our country.

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;  for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” 

James 1:19-20

 

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WRITERS’ FUNNIES

Posted on June 20, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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L’CHAIM

Posted on June 19, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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Today I’m blessed to have survived 75 years of life.  As many of you know, I am at an age where many of my friends are already in heaven or are facing the near possibility.  For some reason, God has other things in mind for me.  I’m thankful for this time of grace.  I so grateful that He’s given me chance after chance while I’m here.  He’s spared my life many times – for His purpose.

I pray that during the rest of my days, I will come to know Him better – to share His love with others – that He would keep refining me so that when my final day arrives, I’ll be ready to meet Him face to face.

In the meantime, I thank Him for blessing me with a very good life.

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WRITERS’ FUNNIES

Posted on June 19, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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This doesn’t really have anything to do with writing, but I thought it was pretty funny.

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WRITERS’ FUNNIES

Posted on June 18, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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YOU ARE A MASTERPIECE

Posted on June 18, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

If you feel that your role in life isn’t important – if you struggle daily with thoughts of failure – if you believe that whatever you do, it isn’t going to be enough – it’s time to put your confidence in something other than yourself. 

Some turn to self-help books. Others think they can hide their feelings of inferiority by putting on a mask to cover up their shortcomings. Some turn to drugs or alcohol to deaden the pain. Many simply give up. There are also those who do not lack self confidence, but still struggle because they are trying too hard to find the answers all by themselves. That’s precisely the time we need God’s encouragement the most.

We’ll never be able to please all the people in our lives. We won’t always be successful in our work. We may feel left out or lonely at times, but there is One who loves us despite our failures – our brokenness – our insecurities. 

 He’s the One who created us. He also had a plan for our lives mapped out in advance of our birth. He formed each and every intricate part of us before we were ever born. He crafted each cell, each nerve, each drop of blood. I would say that’s a masterpiece.

If you’re feeling insignificant today – read Psalm 139. It not only praises God for His handiwork, it shows the intimate relationship David had with his Creator. This is true for us as well.

You don’t have to take courses in self-improvement or take pride in yourself and your accomplishments. You don’t have to live by the accolades of others. The true secret to success lies in the fact that you’re a unique creation of the God of the Universe. He loves you – and so should you.  

Use the gifts He has given you. When we put the focus on others, we Forget our own problems.  When we focus on Him instead of ourselves, we’ve got it made.

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ARE WE LIVING IN HELL?

Posted on June 17, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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I am trying my best not to tune into the news.  I feel ignorance can be bliss.  At least I have a temporary respite from the ugliness of our world.  We can’t really escape all the darkness surrounding us by the flip of a switch, but we can seek comfort in the one who never changes.

I tend to lose it when it comes to the state of affairs in or country and the world, but then I realize there is nothing I can personally do to change it.  Even the wonderful knowledge that Jesus came to the world to fulfill the promise of salvation, is not going to change what goes on here – not until the last day.

So what do we do when it seems like evil has invaded planet earth and seems to be gaining momentum?  What do we do when it looks like there’s no hope, no peace, no solace?  How do we overcome the evil of this world?

We need to remember where our hope lies.  God is our refuge in all kinds of adversity – even in the state of our world.  He places his protective wings over us and gives us hope for the future.  Maybe the future is on the other side of eternity, but so what. It’s the truth that life will go on, even after death.  It’s the affirmation that God has forgiven everyone’s sins and when they believe in Him, they will share in paradise.

I had an aunt who used to say that our lives on earth is really our hell, but I believe that it’s really our time of grace.  A time which God has given us to share His love with others, to serve our fellow man and to leave the legacy of God’s holy Word to our children.

The Christian knows that this is not our permanent home.  We can move ahead in confidence, knowing that God has a much better place waiting for us.  Face this life with confidence that God is in control.

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WRITERS’ FUNNIES

Posted on June 17, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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FLIPPED

Posted on June 16, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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The last few days, I’ve been assisting one of my past students, as she spreads her wings and flies.  In the past six years, we’ve been working together on a summer theater program for kids and now she is taking the reins and leading on her own.

The play I’ve written for this cast to memorize and perform within a short week is called “Flipped.”  It was designed to teach children how to develop a character and stay focused on that character throughout the show.  It starts out with these inhabitants of Gloomsville who are tired of their negative way of life and venture out into the world to find happiness.  As we all know, the world isn’t the place to find true joy, but in their endeavors, the small troupe discovers how enjoyment comes from working together, listening to each other, helping one another through adversity, setting aside differences and working as a cohesive team.

In the end, the group of characters find joy in those things.  Oh that it were so easy in our current state of affairs.  If only we could simply cast off our fears, anger, hate and sadness like an old shoe.  If only we could replace the ugliness of stubbornness, disgust, depression with beauty, flexibility, love and hope,with the wave of a magic wand.

In this world there will always be trouble.  We are encased in it now as the internet has become part of our culture.  We still have the ability to satisfy our need for instant gratification, by reading the truths of God’s Word.

Simple message filled with hope for the whole world, including everyone.

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. “

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WRITERS’ FUNNIES

Posted on June 16, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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JULIE’S FRIDAY FUNNY

Posted on June 16, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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WHAT MAKES A GOOD FATHER?

Posted on June 15, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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Opinions about fatherhood have changed drastically over the past 30 or 40 years and I would like to address that today.  Somehow, maybe as a result of the feminist movement, men have been lowered in value and the role of father has diminished tremendously. in their attempt to get better paying jobs or achieve higher status, many women have placed men lower than themselves.  Maybe (and I know I’ll get a lot of heat for this) in trying to achieve equality with men, women have created a nightmare in the scheme of God’s plan for families.

Parenting is a partnership, just like marriage is.   When even the smallest portion of the job is taken away or lacks respect, the job loses value – and whether you believe it or not, parenting is a full-time occupation.

In Psalm 103:13 we have a good job description for fathers.

“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.”

Compassion is a sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.  The word probably isn’t used much today, because many are more concerned with self than the needs of others.  A father is expected to be the spiritual leader of the family, and their needs must come first.

Today’s world is geared to narcissistic values and often the ability to serve others gets lost in that.  Fathers have often been depicted as the buffoon in such television shows as “All in the Family” up to “The Simpsons” and beyond.  It isn’t easy being a good dad in today’s world.  Single parenting has become the norm in many situations and leadership takes a hit there too.

This week as we prepare to honor dads, let’s remember how God fathers His children.  He loves us unconditionally.  He will lay down his life for us.  He will continue to care about those who have strayed from Him.  He looks at His children’s forgiven hearts rather than their sin, because of death of His Son, Jesus.  He corrects them, He protects them, has a blueprint designed for their lives and He is with them throughout those years into eternity.

That’s a tough act to follow, but it gives us a guide for what God expects of dads.  Let’s pray for their continued presence in their children’s lives.

 

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DIVIDED WE FALL

Posted on June 15, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

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“There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.” ― John Adams

“Terrorism is a psychological warfare. Terrorists try to manipulate us and change our behavior by creating fear, uncertainty, and division in society.” Patrick J. Kennedy

I will not feed into the division that has arisen in this country, because I feel we have done too much of that lately.  I’m not going to rant over things of which I have no control.  I merely am saddened by what is happening to my country.  It’s time to stop arguing over which party is right – who should be running the country – why our elected president should be impeached – why our police should be persecuted for doing their jobs – why there is so much hatred, anger and violence.

The only way to achieve unity is to start putting our own personal needs aside and begin to think of others.  With this being a time of patriotism – Flag Day and the Fourth of July – I think it’s the perfect moment to shed our differences and begin to work as a United nation once more.  Our founding fathers would be shocked to see what has become of the almost perfect document of the Constitution.  They would indeed be ready to move back to England had they known to what extent our nation has deteriorated.

The only way unity comes,

is through the governance of our Creator God.  We should once more put our trust in Him and live according to His will for our lives.  We can’t change the world, but He can.

“But he knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.”  Luke 11:17 

In the above passage, Jesus had just called out a demon from a man and was accused by the crowd as using the power of the devil.  His explanation is clear.  Anyone divided against another cannot stand alone.  We all need each other.  We’re in this together and God is the force that holds us.

 

 

 

 

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